The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has cautioned its member-associations, tourism practitioners and other stakeholders against participating in the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) National Committee on Industry Professional Bodies Recognition and Governance (NCIPRG) call for memoranda.
FTAN, which represents the organised private sector of Nigeria’s tourism industry, said stakeholders should not submit memoranda in a manner that could be interpreted as endorsing or legitimising a framework whose implications for the autonomy, structure and future governance of the sector, according to the federation, remain unresolved.
The position was contained in an advisory titled, “Advisory to the General Tourism Public on the Call for Memoranda by the National Committee on Industry Professional Bodies Recognition and Governance (NCIPRG),” signed by the FTAN President, Dr Aliyu Ajayi Badaki.
The federation’s latest position comes amid its continued campaign for a review of the NIHOTOUR Act 2022, which it has argued has wider implications for tourism operators, professional bodies and the industry as a whole.
The NCIPRG was constituted by NIHOTOUR following a stakeholders’ engagement held in Abuja on July 15, 2026.
FTAN and some of its member associations and other stakeholders did not participate in the engagement, following a directive from the federation’s council. FTAN said the meeting did not meet the threshold it had expected for a broad-based public engagement.
According to the federation, the current memorandum exercise is seeking stakeholders’ views on the recognition, governance, certification, professional practice and collaboration of professional bodies in Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism and travel industry.
FTAN, however, said its objection to the process should not be interpreted as opposition to professionalism, standards or effective regulation.
The federation said it supports professional and ethical standards, competency development, continuous professional education, recognition of legitimate professional bodies, improved service delivery and consumer protection.
It also backed collaboration between government agencies, professional bodies and industry associations, as well as a regulatory environment capable of promoting investment, innovation, employment and sustainable tourism development.
However, FTAN warned that such objectives should not be pursued through a framework that could result in overlapping mandates, excessive regulation, institutional conflicts or the concentration of professional recognition and regulatory powers in one institution without adequate legal and industry-wide consensus.
“FTAN is concerned that the current memorandum exercise may inadvertently provide stakeholder endorsement and legitimacy to a policy direction which significant sections of the tourism industry have already called for review,” the federation said.
It therefore advised stakeholders to exercise caution and, pending resolution of what it described as broader policy and institutional concerns, refrain from participating in the NCIPRG memorandum submission exercise where such participation could be construed as endorsement of the proposed framework.
The federation maintained that the future governance and professional regulation of Nigeria’s tourism industry should emerge from a transparent and inclusive sector-wide process involving recognised tourism umbrella bodies, professional associations, operators, practitioners, investors and other stakeholders across the tourism and travel value chain.
FTAN further noted that some of its member associations were already involved in legal proceedings with NIHOTOUR, adding that the ongoing disputes reinforced the need for a broader resolution of the issues.
The federation, however, said it remained open to constructive engagement with the Federal Government, relevant ministries, departments and agencies, NIHOTOUR and other stakeholders towards finding a sustainable solution.
It urged tourism stakeholders to remain vigilant, united and properly informed while awaiting further guidance from the federation as discussions on the contentious issues continue.